In this episode, I speak with Debi Frankle, an LMFT and self-proclaimed "grief nerd". We tackled a topic that's rarely discussed but extremely important – the misdiagnosis of grief when ADHD is prevalent.

3 Key Takeaways:

Importance of Comprehensive Loss History: Debi emphasizes the need for therapists to thoroughly assess loss histories, not just recent events but all significant losses throughout a client's life. This helps in understanding the broader context of their behaviors and symptoms.
ADHD and Grief Overlap: Grief can exacerbate ADHD symptoms like difficulty concentrating, frustration tolerance, and impulsivity. It's crucial to distinguish between the two for appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
Misinterpretation and Communication in Grief: Statements meant to console, like "they're in a better place," often miss the mark and can feel minimizing. More effective communication includes acknowledgments like, "I have no idea what to say," or even offering a simple hug.

This episode is a must-listen for mental health professionals and anyone looking to understand the intricate relationship between grief and ADHD better.

More about Debi:

Debi is a self-proclaimed grief nerd. She has known a lot of dead people over her lifetime, experienced many other life-changing losses (including a chronic illness that frankly sucks some days), is trained in grief counseling (in fact, she still goes to trainings herself!) and has been a grief skills educator and trainer over the last 20+ years and writes long run-on sentences, much to her high school English teacher’s dismay.

Debi lives in Los Angeles where she can frequently be found with dirt under her fingernails for she proudly carries on her family’s tradition of amateur gardening. This year she is knee-deep in artichokes, summer squashes, and corn to complement whatever meat her husband is cooking on the smoker on the weekends.

Check out Debi's trainings and services on her website: privatepracticegrief.com

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Thanks to Our Sponsors: The Receptionist for iPad & Alma!

✨ The Receptionist for iPad

Thanks to The Receptionist for iPad for sponsoring this episode.

The Receptionist offers an iPad list check-in option where clients can scan a QR code to check in, which negates the need for you to buy an iPad and stand. Go to thereceptionist.com/privatepractice and sign up for a free 14-day trial. When you do, you'll get your first month free. And don't forget to ask about our iPad list check-in option.

✨ Alma

Thanks to Alma for sponsoring this episode.

Building and managing the practice you want can be challenging. That’s why Alma offers tools and resources to help you build not just any practice, but your private practice. They’ll help you navigate insurance, access referrals who are the right fit for you, and efficiently manage administrative tasks — so you can spend less time on the details, and more time delivering great care. You support your clients. Alma supports you. Visit helloalma.com/ATPP to learn more.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Receptionist for iPad

I want to thank The Receptionist for iPad for sponsoring this episode. From new patients faced with an empty lobby and no idea where to find their therapist to clinicians with a session running over time and the doorbell ringing, some of the most anxiety-ridden moments of a therapy appointment happen before a session even starts. The Receptionist for iPad, helps you tackle some of that pre-appointment apprehension and anxiety. The Receptionist for iPad is an easy-to-use digital client check-in system that helps your visitors check in securely to their appointments and notify their practitioners of their arrival via SMS, email, or your preferred channel. No more confusion, and less lobby checking or having clients sign in on paper logbooks. It can even help you upgrade and update your demographic information for your clients as well and even validate parking. Start a 14-day free trial of the Receptionist for iPad by going to thereceptionist.com/privatepractice. Make sure to start your trial with that link and you'll also get your first month free if you decide to sign up.

Alma

I want to thank Alma for sponsoring this episode. Building and managing the practice you want can be challenging. That’s why Alma offers tools and resources to help you build not just any practice, but your private practice. They’ll help you navigate insurance, access referrals who are the right fit for you, and efficiently manage administrative tasks — so you can spend less time on the details, and more time delivering great care. You support your clients. Alma supports you. Visit helloalma.com/ATPP to learn more.

Episode 174: Grief and ADHD: Exploring Misdiagnosis [featuring Debi Frankle]